Gotu Kola

BACKGROUND

Gotu kola is an aquatic perennial plant that is a member of the parsley family. It is native to India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Africa, Australia, China, and Indonesia (1). It is used widely in Ayurveda (where it is revered as a spiritually uplifting herb), by traditional African herbalists, and in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Gotu kola was also used in Europa and France during the 1700s and later was accepted as a drug in 1880s (1).

Gotu kola is used traditionally and in health supplements today to promote mental clarity and relaxation and to support blood circulation and tissue strength.

TRADITIONAL USES

Gotu kola extract is used for fatigue, anxiety, depression, improving memory and cognitive function, Alzheimer's disease and epilepsy. It is also used for venous insufficiency including varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, diabetic microangiopathy, and atherosclerosis (2).

WHAT DOES SCIENCE TELL US?

Studies show gotu kola used orally for 4-8 weeks seem to improve measures of circulation and decrease symptoms such as edema in patients with venous insufficiency (3,4,5).

The terpenoid extract might help stabilize arterial plaques by increasing collagen within plaques. Plaques with low collagen content are structurally weak and are associated with an increased risk of rupture and embolism (8).

SAFETY

Gotu kola is generally considered to be safe when used topically or orally and appropriately. Gotu kola has been used safely orally in trials lasting up to 12 months (9).

There is limited and unsubstantiated evidence that Centella asiatica may cause hepatoxicity (10).

Interactions:

Moderate

CNS Depressants, Hepatotoxic Drugs

Theoretical

Concomitant use with other potentially hepatotoxic products might increase the risk of developing liver damage. Some of these products include androstenedione, chaparral, comfrey, DHEA, germander, niacin, pennyroyal oil, red yeast, and others (11).

Orally, Gotu kola appears to be well tolerated. Gastric irritation and nausea have been the most common side effects reported in clinical research. Rarely, Gotu kola may cause hepatotoxicity. It is not clear, however, if Gotu kola-induced hepatotoxicity results from hepatotoxic contaminants. It is also unclear if the effect is dose-related. A single case of the nighttime eating syndrome has been associated with Gotu kola use. Topically, Gotu kola may cause allergic contact dermatitis and eczema (2).